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Click Here 47 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, February 2, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 13, 2004 Ashland residents ask school board to delay Lincoln decision By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune A near-capacity crowd urged the Ashland School Board at its Monday meeting to delay closing Lincoln Elementary for at least another year. The board plans to decide the fate of the school at its February meeting. While the possible closure of Lincoln was part of last month’s agenda, nothing was on the agenda for Monday’s meeting. But that did not stop nearly 20 people from addressing the board during the public forum portion of the meeting. An estimated 60 people were in attendance at the Ashland City Council Chambers. Those who spoke were a mixture of Lincoln parents, concerned citizens and parents from other Ashland schools worried about what the closure of a second school would do to class size and the quality of education in Ashland. Last school year, school district officials designated Lincoln Elementary as the second school to close, if two triggers would be hit the next school year — district enrollment dipping below 1,050 at the district’s four elementary schools, or if financial concerns warranted it. Neither has occurred, although possible cuts if Measure 30, the tax surcharge measure, is not passed Feb. 3, still loom. Briscoe Elementary was closed in June. Peter Cotton, a Lincoln parent, told the board he and other citizens recently formed an organization called "For Quality Schools" to address the possible school closure and other school-related issues. The group has gone around town collecting signatures asking that Lincoln remain open for the 2004-2005 school year while the community and board members work together to find a solution that best meets the educational needs of the children in the district. In three weeks, 1,146 people have signed the petition, Cotton said. Ashland School Board chairwoman Amy Amrhein told the crowd she was holding off on making any decision until the results of Measure 30. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times